Photo by Karin Strickland
Fortuna Farm South sits right in the ring of foothills horse country. Here, equestrian estates dominate a conservancy of rural land and protected forest straddling the state line of the Carolinas. The roadsides are litter free, the fences and lawns are pristine, and the aura is peaceful and privileged.
Owned by Helmuth and Charlene von Bluecher, Fortuna scores extra points for being historic — unusually so. The home dates way back to 1790, and a close look reveals some of the original logs both inside and outside. Through countless additions and changes, it still retains a rustic look that the owners describe as a “farmhouse.”
A really, really nice farmhouse, that is. It sits back — way back — off the road, surrounded by towering pines, old oaks, and cedars. Charlene takes credit for the latest interior improvements. She was, at one time, a home designer, though she may always be best known as the daughter of hall-of-fame thoroughbred trainer Charles E. Whittingham.
The subject of a biography for his stellar career, Whittingham was behind the wins of some of history’s most famous racehorses. Early on, he trained the horses of celebrity owners including Judy Garland and Greer Garson. In his seventies, he was twice recognized as the oldest trainer to win a Kentucky Derby; both of those horses went on to win the Breeders’ Cup (an even more important victory in the eyes of serious racing fans) and Horse of the Year. Whittingham trained horses up to his death, in 1999, at age 86. Despite being deceased almost two decades, he was recently voted the number-one trainer in the U.S. for the last 50 years.
Although she’s been surrounded by horses all of her life, Charlene is not a rider, but she enjoys the equestrian lifestyle, especially as a decorative motif. She lets her husband Helmuth von Bluecher, a noted equine veterinarian, tend to the animals.
At retirement age, but not ready to completely throw in the horse blanket, the von Bluechers stay busy with a large combined family, his California-based practice, equestrian social life, and volunteerism. They do most of their renovations themselves, calling in local artisans as needed.
Dr. von Bluecher’s adult daughter Tescha, a career equestrian, lives on site, in her own space, helping run the 37-acre property (part of a vast land trust called Caroland). The three-level home is at least 6,000 square feet, including eight bedrooms and a guest cottage. Many of the rooms have names, like the “CW Room” after Charlie Whittingham. It’s filled wall to wall, ceiling to floor with insignia horse blankets, saddles, photos, artwork, trophies, framed jockey coats, and portraits, all set against the house’s original heart-pine shiplap paneling. Then there’s the “Nautical Room,” so named because Dr. von Bluecher likes to sail, the “Doll Room” because that’s what Charlene collected as a kid — not the Breyer model horses once so popular — and the “Euro Room,” honoring Charlene’s travel-loving mother.
Photo by Karin Strickland
“We’ve got stuff,” Charlene admits. “More is more. Horse country brought us here, but I didn’t get the gene, that crazy horse-girl gene. I rode bikes, not horses.”
But it was other horsey “stuff” — easy access to an extensive trail system for him, the gentleman’s-farm vibe for her — that lured the von Bluechers to the Carolinas six years ago.
Your rec room is especially unique. How did it come to be?
Charlene: As in the rest of the home, we tried to incorporate any old wood or farm implements we found in the barn. I worked with our carpenters to create a rustic bar and pool room to give a home to Helmuth’s old pool table we’d been storing for years.
You admit that you didn’t get the horse gene, yet you come from a family famous for horses, you married an equine vet from another well-known horse family, and you use the equestrian theme extensively throughout your home.
Women weren’t allowed to work on the racetrack back when I was young, so the opportunities to learn to ride were difficult, and riding a racehorse wasn’t an option anyway. Too late for me, my father’s stable later became known for his all-female exercise riders, “Charlie’s Angels.” … Even if I don’t ride, there’s something so peaceful about watching the horses grazing out on our pastures. There’s a quote from a book I’m going to put up in our entry — “The choice of place is the choice of something you crave.”
Dr. von Bluecher, you could have the most advanced barn and top-grade horses imaginable, yet you keep a simple barn and older animals. Why?
The barn and home are unique. There’s a lot history and memories here of [former owners] Bud and Hope Slater, who obviously have put a big stamp on this home and surrounding area. The “Bank Barn” [built into the hillside] is very functional, with hay loft and storage area at ground level, horse stalls with tack rooms and more storage area below. There was no reason to tear it down for something fancy. … We brought one retired thoroughbred from California. I loved him as a race horse and his owner/trainer and I are also good friends. When his racing career was over, we had the farm, it made sense to bring him along. I love riding him; he came here as a six-year-old and is 11 now, in his prime. The Tennessee Walking horse was given to Tescha by local friends and he is a wonderful trail horse. The other horse is both for riding and driving and is still in his prime at 15.
The Tryon International Equestrian Center will host the World Equestrian Games this September. Did the TIEC being so close influence your decision to live here?
Charlene: We are not involved with [the TIEC] in any way, but we’ll be attending some of the WEG games. … We’re amazed that [the facility] has been able to build so much so quickly. That wouldn’t be possible in Southern California.
Charlene, what makes Dr. von Bluecher smile?
Sailing a boat, driving a tractor, looking out over his pastures, and, of course, riding his thoroughbred.
The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games happen at the Tryon International Equestrian Center September 11-23 (tryon.coth.com). Charlene and Helmuth von Bluecher host the annual fundraiser “For Land’s Sake,” benefitting Conserving Carolina, on October 5 (conservingcarolina.org).